Wednesday, February 15, 2006

9/11 and the Book of Mormon: A Study of Amalickiah

9/11 and the Book of Mormon : A Study of Amalickiah

Dedicated to those true patriots of 911, and the victims of the secret combination

In memory of Joe Vialls

Version 2.2

by grego

What?!? "9/11" (the September 11 "terrorist" attacks in the USA) is in the Book of Mormon? You're mad! crazy! looney! unpatriotic! unholy! When I first saw 911, I felt something wasn't right. The more I listened to what the US government and the mainstream press said about it, the more I felt it wasn't right. Getting on the internet and reading more about it confirmed my feelings and thoughts to me. Yet, every LDS I talked to about it--especially soon afterwards--was very adamant that not only was I absolutely wrong that 9/11 was anything but the official version (whichever of the many it was at the time), but that I was a "__" (fill in the blank with your choice of a raucous, blood-thinning insult or cussword) for believing so. I got messages from others like, "we really worry about you and are praying for you"; "If it were a lie or different than the official version, the prophets would tell us"; "Everyone knows the Muslims did it because we are followers of Christ".

So, I wondered, what about the Book of Mormon? Does it offer any specific insight, with all its commentary on politics, dissensions, wars, etc.? Boy, does it ever! All over, in fact. However, reading about Amalickiah was of particular interest, because of the detail and the understanding it gave me as to how one man pulls off a complete coup d'etat that's never discovered, and that results in the deaths of thousands of people. Accepting the Book of Mormon to be true not only in the principles it teaches but in its historicity, members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are bound to admit that, at least, the unofficial story of 911 is very possible.

So what are the official and unofficial versions of 911? The official version says that Muslim terrorists, under a plan by Osama bin Laden, hijacked four planes with boxcutters and flew two of them into the twin World Trade Center towers and one into the Pentagon, and blew up another plane while it was in the air. The unofficial version is that a conspiracy of people, with at least some of them in the US government, committed the act or hired others to do so, cast the blame on Muslims and Osama bin Laden, covered up the conspiracy in every way possible, got Americans all whipped up against "terrorists" and "al Qaeda" and the Muslims, and sent forces to the Middle East on the pretext of numerous lies.

Notwithstanding the official version is so full of holes it can't hold an inch of water, many people still have numerous objections about accepting any unofficial version in its stead. But by looking at Amalickiah, we will see how valid this is.

What, then, are some of the objections to the unofficial version of 911, and what insight might Amalickiah provide?

*Objection:It's just impossible that any Americans, growing up in a Christian country, could be so evil to plan to kill their own people--it had to be the Muslims.

Answer:"And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren;" (Alma 45:23)"But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes..." (Alma 45:24)"AND it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren." (Alma 46:1)"And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them." (Alma 46:2)"Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah." (Alma 46:3)"And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king..." (Alma 46:4)"And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be their king that he would make them rulers over the people." (Alma 46:5)"Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church." (Alma 46:6)"And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church..." (Alma 46:7)"Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men." (Alma 46:8)"Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake." (Alma 46:9)..."And it came to pass that Amalickiah fled with a small number of his men, and the remainder were delivered up into the hands of Moroni and were taken back into the land of Zarahemla." (Alma 46:33)

Amalickiah:--is a Nephite--is a member of the true church of Jesus Christ!--leaves the church because of pride--is lifted up in his heart because of his riches--is mad and wanted to kill the true Christians--wants to be king, but not in the "right way"--is a very evil man who also taught others to do evil--is a very able man: big and strong, ability to flatter, convincing in his lies, etc.--is willing to sacrifice anyone--Nephite or Lamanite, follower or enemy--to fulfill his goal of being king--has the ability to plan far in advance--has the ability to carry out his plan with extreme boldness and cover it up--is able to keep key information from men that are very high up--is aided by key followers for key parts of the planNow, what if there were not just one Amalickiah, but a few Amalickiahs, or even a group?

*Objection:The official version of 9/11 already took intelligent and immense planning of the perpetrators; the unofficial version takes even more, so it's harder to believe.

Answer:Well, even though I find it much easier to believe that high-placed men on the inside with some accomplices would have the ability to plan out 9/11 than an outcast living with other outcasts in a cave half the world away, here's what the Book of Mormon says:"Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites" (Alma 47:4). Remember, this is at the beginning of the account--we see that Amalickiah laid out the whole plan ahead of time.

*Objection:How is it possible that no one big involved in the 9/11 plan or conspiracy blew the whistle?

Answer:Well, even though that might not be true, it still wouldn't go anywhere. But in direct response to the objection, there are many possible reasons:1. Persuading someone based on personal gain, even to the point of corrupting their previous high values.Lehonti is a great example of this. First, he was the leader and king of Lamanites who did not want to fight, and his people were "fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites" (Alma 47:6). Then, by the persuasions of Amalickiah, he meets with him, and agrees to become part of Amalickiah's plan. What does he gain from it? Well, he becomes king over all the Lamanite forces.

2. Not everyone need know.In fact, though Lehonti became a top accomplice to Amalickiah's plan, he didn't know what the real plan was. He was misled by Amalickiah. The Lamanite king who had swent him to do his bidding didn't know Amalickiah's plan, either. And there's no mention of anyone in the army, other than Amalikciah's men, knowing or suspecting anything. They were misled with information about who killed the king, then joined in the cause by chasing the king's guards. The few that needed to know, knew--everyone else was in the dark, misled, etc.

3. Kill them off when they're no longer useful, or as part of the plan."and that [Amalickiah] would deliver [his army] up into Lehonti's hands, if [Lehonti] would make him a second leader over the whole army" (Alma 47:13)...."Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader" (Alma 47:17)."And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died" (Alma 47:18)."Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander" (Alma 47:19).

And with the king:"And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle."But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness."And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites."And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth." (Alma 47:21-24)

5. Betray them, frame them, threaten them with death; run them out; etc."Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:" (Alma 47:25)"Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see." (Alma 47:26)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain." (Alma 47:27)"And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king." (Alma 47:28)"Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon." (Alma 47:29)

6. Provide hostile and/ or counter-witnesses to contradict the truth:"And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain--for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape--Alma 47:32)"Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, ... she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king." (Alma 47:33)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king." (Alma 47:34)

*Objection:It's impossible for anyone near the top to not know what was happening.

Answer:Maybe it's true, and maybe the truthfulness of that comment should rest on us longer and deeper. But in some cases, it's not true--we see that the Lamanite king and Amalickiah had a plan to make the Lamanites fight the Nephites. Yet, even the king didn't know how Amalickiah had changed the plan.

Alma 47:21And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle.

*Objection:If the official version of 9/11 were wrong, or the unofficial version were true, we'd hear about it in the news--besides, our government would never lie to us to get us to hate and fight others.

Answer:Hopefully! But alas, look at this mass propaganda campaign and its results:"AND now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites." (Alma 48:1)"And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites..." (Alma 48:2)"Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites." (Alma 48:3)

*Objection:But the official story of 9/11 makes sense.

Answer:And the official story made sense to the Lamanites, too.There are many things that shouldn't have made sense to them, if you think about it. I mean...1. Didn't anyone know that Amalickiah was openly disobeying the king by joining forces with Lehonti and thereby committing treason (and a Nephite immigrant at that!)?2. Didn't anyone wonder how Amalickiah's army got surrounded? Amalickiah, a great and smart warrior, should have posted guards who should have seen Lehonti's men were coming down a mountain, right before the break of day--it wasn't 2AM. Where were the guards?3. Didn't anyone notice Amalickiah going up to the mountain that night? Didn't they wonder what he was doing there, especially after he got surrounded the next day?4. Didn't anyone see the relationship between Amalickiah going up the hill, Amalickiah's army getting encircled, his surrendering, being placed second in command, having the first in command poisoned, and then becoming first in command?5. Didn't anyone wonder why the king's guards would kill the king right by Amalickiah and the army, who would have been ready to execute them if they had? Wouldn't it have been easier for the guards to kill the king while the army was away? Or any other time? Didn't anyone see how too perfect a "coincidence" it was, for Amalickiah, for it to happen at that time?6. Ok, so, the servants killed the king... But then they fled?? What were the benefits of that? Why would they do that?7. And, where did they flee to? To the Nephites, where murderers are punished by death? And not to just the Nephites, but of all people, to the people of Ammon--pacifists who were extremely intolerant of murderers?

8. Why would all the Lamanites believe Amalickiah instead of the king's guards? Had Amalickiah proved himself a loyal, wonderful servant over the king's guards? 9. Didn't anyone wonder why Amalickiah wanted the king's servants slain on the spot instead of given a trial or anything like that?10. Didn't anyone listen to the king's guards, or their reports, or even rumors, that must have come to them after the incident and that were certainly contrary to Amalickiah's report?11. Didn't anyone see how the end was finally realized, and see that it was the end from the beginning?12. Didn't anyone know about Amaliciah wanting to be king of the Nephites, and getting ready to use force to follow through with it, and how much this matched his becoming king of the Lamanites? This was major news even Lamanites could easily have known about.13. Didn't anyone find it strange that Amalickiah started a propaganda campaign right after becoming king--a campaign that no doubt aided his point of view?I'm sure that if someone asked (if they dared--remember, this is neither republic nor democracy, but a king ruled), there was a great answer.

What about those Americans! I mean...1. How did the hijackers get on the planes? Where are the videos of them getting on or even heading towards the planes? Why have the only shown videos (that never really showed the hijackers) been shot down clearly as fake (due to shadows and sun positions and the time of day the videos were shot)? How did the hijackers all make it through the detectors and x-rays, etc. with boxcutters? Three or four men, dressed in red bandanas (an inappropriate color for dedicated Muslims), used boxcutters to "stab" people and keep lots of tough grown men at bay, including military personnel and karate experts on board?2. How were cell phone calls made from planes? (When's the last time you made a cell phone call to someone from a plane? Never? You're in good company--before 9/11, no one ever had.) Why did someone in a life-threatening situation talk to a complete stranger for a while instead of calling another loved one/ relative, close friend, etc.? Why did someone identify himself to his mom using his full name (when's the last time YOU or anyone you know did that?)3. How did the hijacked planes fly around for so long without military planes? (Believe me, anyone familiar with the US military, knows this is just impossible.)4. Didn't anyone notice how perfectly and quickly the buildings fell? Especially with all the witnesses who heard bombs, and all the evidence that showed there was more?5. The floated-to-the-sidewalk passport! A huge exploding fireball, and of all things that survived, a hijacker's passport!6. DNA of a hijacker (of which at least 1/3 are still alive!) was supposedly found at the WTC crash (which was supposedly so hot it incinerated everything and everyone else--except for the passport that was just mentioned, of course).

And the list goes on and on--in fact, at least one person (Nico Haupt) has written a list (incomplete, I might add) of 500 questions of things that are impossible about 911, or don't make sense about it, or that are interesting coincidences, or pressing questions.

Now, I want to go to a quick summary and possible interpolations from the record of Alma 46-48.

46:2, 3, 4, 5, 7 Amalickiah, though he was a very wicked man, used such great speech that he flattered many church members so much that they believed him and supported him (even in opposition to the church and its leaders). He used that good old trade: "you help me, and I'll help you". And it worked for those who wanted power--who are often dangerous men. If he could get people this way, and even church members, couldn't our government find accomplices and followers for 9/11 the same way?

47:4 Amalickiah already has a plan!! Long before any of the big events happened, especially the murder of the king, and even before the first step was taken, he had a plan to overthrow the king and take the kingship for himself.

47:15 By purposefully setting up a bad situation, the people desire exactly what Amalickiah wants them to, and sets himself up as a small hero who listens to the people. Match this up to this quote of Henry Kissinger:"Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will pledge with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government."

47:16 This was in complete disobedience to the king's order. But, the king wasn't there to know it!

46:33, 47:18, 22, 24-26, 34, 35 Amalickiah has a few key accomplices--his "cunning servants"--who are willing to support him in everything, even to the point of open, cold-blooded assassination of the king of the Lamanites, then lying by testifying against the king's servants.

47:16 Amalickiah sets himself up to become leader through assassination. However, he doesn't actually kill anyone himself--he gets someone else to do it. Is this one of those things that only happens long ago, far away, in the Book of Mormon?

47:26 Yes, obviously the king was murdered, which is hardly the point; but, as they say in marketing, credibility goes to the first one to state the obvious. Was Amalickiah smooth or what? He obviously understood people.Also, once more, he was safe from blame because he didn't do it, wasn't there, and could deny any involvement. Had his servant been caught, that servant would be blamed (and then probably be let off, let escape, or betrayed to a quick death before he could say anything), the king would still be dead, and Amalickiah would still be leader of the army--and his plan would still go on. This is the way most people in high places do their dirty work.

47:27 Even though no one knew it, Amalickiah COULDN'T have been wroth--hey, this was his great plan! But he pretended to be, and by inviting those who "loved the king" to chase after the servants, he:· allowed and encouraged (FALSE) patriotism;· provoked a feeling of catharsis, by allowing the people to feel like they were doing something worthwhile for a good and just cause;· found out who really loved the king and who he needed to work harder on to win over or kill off; · created a link between himself and the king in the minds of the Lamanites--a "passing of the mantle" experience;· let everyone know his way of dealing with betrayal, etc., giving everyone an incentive to not betray him;· made sure the king's servants had no other option than to run to the Nephites for asylum, which served a few purposes: no one could find out the truth about the assassination, and it fit in with his plans of stirring the Lamanites up to anger.

47:27 Kill the servants!! This is not even with a pretense of justice like with Osama bin Laden's "Reward--Dead or Alive" (so nothing can be told and the US official story challenged), but "Kill on the spot!" What other choice did the servants have but to flee? And what would have happened to Osama bin Laden if he had come out to challenge the story, or turned himself in?

47:33 The queen wants witnesses! Anyone who wants witnesses should get them from both sides, not just one side. Did she question why the servants, whom she knew much better than Amalickiah and his men, killed the king and fled? Did she bother to check with the servants, at least hear their side? Was she scared to confront Amalickiah? but then, she wouldn't marry him, right? Or, did she really not care? Maybe the king paled compared to this new strange man standing before her. Hey, what's done is done, right?After 9/11, when many people called for an investigation, look at what was set up. The 9/11 Commission was almost exactly like the embassy that went to the queen--accomplices, followers, and maybe more, of those that did it. It was not to tell the truth, but to cover it up. We also got our witnesses, but like with Amalickiah, we only got one side--the official one--and the reasoning was similar--see, Osama is gone into hiding, and we found a video, so we know he did it. And like the queen, we accepted the report as confirmation.

47:36 Amalickiah now takes advantage of the mourners and moves in to complete the conquest of the Lamanites.

48:1, 2 The first thing Amalickiah does is start a propaganda campaign against the Nepihtes. In addition to the old stories and traditions, do you think that Amalickiah might, perhaps, mention anything about the Nephites harboring international murderers (the king's servants)? Or suggesting that the Nephites corrupted and turned the servants against the king, and had the assassination planned from a while before? Or...? And, it works--now he'll go to war.

49:26 The purpose of war--to free the Lamanites? To get back the king's servants for trial? Etc., etc.? No! It's to make the Nephites slaves; to earn from their labors and lands.

The similarities of the principles and actual techniques used by the unofficial conspirators of 9/11 seem to have been lifted from the episode of Amalickiah in the Book of Mormon. The records we have on Amalickiah show that more study should be made into the unofficial story(ies) of 9/11. I condlude that it's impossible to believe in the Book of Mormon and not accept the possibility that the story of Amalickiah was acted out, only in a different characters and settings.

THE END

The pertinent scriptures for those who might not have them:

"And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren;" (Alma 45:23)"But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God." (Alma 45:24)"AND it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren." (Alma 46:1)"And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them." (Alma 46:2)"Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah." (Alma 46:3)"And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power." (Alma 46:4)"And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be their king that he would make them rulers over the people." (Alma 46:5)"Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church." (Alma 46:6)"And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord." (Alma 46:7)..."Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men." (Alma 46:8)"Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake." (Alma 46:9)..."And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites." (Alma 46:28)"And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites--and he also saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken--therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi." (Alma 46:29)"Now Moroni thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites should have any more strength; therefore he thought to cut off the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them back, and put Amalickiah to death; yea, for he knew that he would stir up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come to battle against them; and this he knew that Amalickiah would do that he might obtain his purposes." (Alma 46:30)"Therefore Moroni thought it was expedient that he should take his armies, who had gathered themselves together, and armed themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the peace--and it came to pass that he took his army and marched out with his tents into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickiah in the wilderness." (Alma 46:31)"And it came to pass that he did according to his desires, and marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the armies of Amalickiah." (Alma 46:32)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah fled with a small number of his men, and the remainder were delivered up into the hands of Moroni and were taken back into the land of Zarahemla." (Alma 46:33)..."NOW we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites." (Alma 47:1)"And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king." (Alma 47:2)"And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms." (Alma 47:3)"Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites." (Alma 47:4)"And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms." (Alma 47:5)"And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites." (Alma 47:6)"And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle." (Alma 47:7)"Now it was not Amalickiah's intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom." (Alma 47:8)"And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas." (Alma 47:9)"And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him." (Alma 47:10)"And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time." (Alma 47:11)"And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti's camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him." (Alma 47:12)"And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army." (Alma 47:13)"And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti." (Alma 47:14)"And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired." (Alma 47:15)"And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king." (Alma 47:16)"Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader." (Alma 47:17)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died." (Alma 47:18)"Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander." (Alma 47:19)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city of Nephi, which was the chief city." (Alma 47:20)"And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle." (Alma 47:21)"But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness." (Alma 47:22)"And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites." (Alma 47:23)"And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth." (Alma 47:24)"Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:Alma 47:25"Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see." (Alma 47:26"And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain." (Alma 47:27"And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king." (Alma 47:28)"Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon." (Alma 47:29)"And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people." (Alma 47:30)"And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city." (Alma 47:31)"And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain--for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape--Alma 47:32)"Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king." (Alma 47:33)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king." (Alma 47:34)"And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time...."AND now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites." (Alma 48:1)"And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites." (Alma 48:2)"Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites." (Alma 48:3)"For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage." (Alma 48:4)"And thus he did appoint chief captains of the Zoramites, they being the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities; therefore he appointed them to be chief captains over his armies." (Alma 48:5)"And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness." (Alma 48:6)"Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God." (Alma 48:7)..."Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites." (Alma 48:24)"Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land." (Alma 48:25)"AND now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah." (Alma 49:1)..."Now, if king Amalickiah had come down out of the land of Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah; for behold, he did care not for the blood of his people." (Alma 49:10)"But behold, Amalickiah did not come down himself to battle. And behold, his chief captains durst not attack the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah, for Moroni had altered the management of affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the Lamanites were disappointed in their places of retreat and they could not come upon them." (Alma 49:11)..."And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephi, to inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by birth, concerning their great loss." (Alma 49:25)"And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry with his people, because he had not obtained his desire over the Nephites; he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage." (Alma 49:26)"Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people." (Alma 49:27)..."But behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of Nephi; for behold, Amalickiah had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites against the people of the Nephites, and he was gathering together soldiers from all parts of his land, and arming them, and preparing for war with all diligence; for he had sworn to drink the blood of Moroni." (Alma 51:9)"But behold, we shall see that his promise which he made was rash; nevertheless, he did prepare himself and his armies to come to battle against the Nephites." (Alma 51:10)"Now his armies were not so great as they had hitherto been, because of the many thousands who had been slain by the hand of the Nephites; but notwithstanding their great loss, Amalickiah had gathered together a wonderfully great army, insomuch that he feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla." (Alma 51:11)"Yea, even Amalickiah did himself come down, at the head of the Lamanites. And it was in the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges; and it was at the same time that they had begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the chief judge, Pahoran." (Alma 51:12)..."Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore." (Alma 51:22)"And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took possession of the city, yea, possession of all their fortifications." (Alma 51:23)"And those who fled out of the city of Moroni came to the city of Nephihah; and also the people of the city of Lehi gathered themselves together, and made preparations and were ready to receive the Lamanites to battle." (Alma 51:24)"But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but kept them down by the seashore, leaving men in every city to maintain and defend it." (Alma 51:25)"And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities, the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders by the seashore." (Alma 51:26)And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of which were strongly fortified after the manner of the fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for the Lamanites." (Alma 51:27)"And it came to pass that they marched to the borders of the land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them and slaying many." (Alma 51:28)"But it came to pass that they were met by Teancum, who had slain Morianton and had headed his people in his flight." (Alma 51:29)"And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also, as he was marching forth with his numerous army that he might take possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land northward." (Alma 51:30)"But behold he met with a disappointment by being repulsed by Teancum and his men, for they were great warriors; for every man of Teancum did exceed the Lamanites in their strength and in their skill of war, insomuch that they did gain advantage over the Lamanites." (Alma 51:31)"And it came to pass that they did harass them, insomuch that they did slay them even until it was dark. And it came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the borders on the beach by the seashore, and after this manner were they driven." (Alma 51:32)"And it came to pass that when the night had come, Teancum and his servant stole forth and went out by night, and went into the camp of Amalickiah; and behold, sleep had overpowered them because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and heat of the day." (Alma 51:33)"And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants...."And thus endeth the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus endeth the days of Amalickiah." (Alma 51:37)"AND now, it came to pass in the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, behold, when the Lamanites awoke on the first morning of the first month, behold, they found Amalickiah was dead in his own tent; and they also saw that Teancum was ready to give them battle on that day." (Alma 52:1)

1. How does this show that he has been led the Church astray? Do prophets know everything about everyone, and everyone in everything? Notice, however, that later, in the Ensign article on the Book of Mormon, Pres. Hinckley basically backed up my words. ;)